ABS SUBARU OUTBACK 2004 4.G User Guide

8-13
Driving tips
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ing, abrupt acceleration, high-speed driving, and
sharp turning when driving on snowy or icy roads.
Always maintain ample distance between your vehicle
and the vehicle ahead of you to avoid the need for sud-
den braking.
To supplement the foot brake, use the engine brake
effectively to control the vehicle speed. (Shift into a
lower gear when necessary.)
Avoid shifting down abruptly. Such behavior can
cause the wheels to lock, possibly leading to loss of vehicle control.
An anti-lock brake system (ABS) enhances your vehi-
cle’s braking performance on snowy and icy roads.
Refer to the “ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)” and “VDC
(Vehicle Dynamics Control) system (if equipped)” sec-
tion in chapter 7 for information on braking on slippery surfaces. TWiper operation when snowing
Before driving in cold weather, make sure the wiper
blades are not frozen to the windshield or rear window.
If the wiper blades are frozen to the windshield or rear
window, use the defroster with the airflow control but-
ton/dial in the “ ” position and the temperature
control dial set for maximum warmth until the wiper
blades are completely thawed out. If your vehicle is
equipped with a wiper deicer, it is helpful to thaw the windshield wiper blades. To thaw out the rear wiper
blade, use the rear window defogger.
When driving in snow, if frozen snow starts to stick on
the surface of the windshield despite wiper operation,
use the defroster with the airflow control button/dial in
“ ” and the temperature control dial set for maxi-
mum warmth. After the windshield gets warmed
enough to melt the frozen snow on it, wash it away us-
ing the windshield washer.
Snow stuck on the wiper arm prevents the wiper from working effectively. If snow is stuck on the wiper arm,
pull off the road to a safe place, then remove it. If you
stop the car at road side, use the hazard warning
flasher to alert other drivers.
We recommend use of non-freezing type wiper blades
(winter blades) during the seasons you could have
snow and sub-zero temperatures. Blades of this type
give superior wiping performance in snowy conditions.
Be sure to use blades that are suitable for your vehi- cle. „
Corrosion protection
Refer to the “Corrosion protection” section (chapter 10).

8-39
Driving tips
– CONTINUED –
length caused by attaching the trailer to your vehicle.
1) Left turn
2) Right turn
y Backing up with a trailer is difficult and takes prac-
tice. When backing up with a trailer, never accelerate
or steer rapidly. When turning back, grip the bottom of
the steering wheel with one hand and turn it to the left
for a left turn, and turn it to the right for a right turn. y If the ABS warning light illuminates while the vehicle
is in motion, stop towing the trailer and have repairs
performed immediately by the nearest SUBARU deal- er. T
Driving on grades
y Before going down a steep hill, slow down and shift
into lower gear (if necessary, use 1st gear) in order to
utilize the engine braking effect and prevent overheat-
ing of your vehicle’s brakes. Do not make sudden
downshifts.y When driving uphill in hot weather, the air condition-
er may turn off automatically to protect the engine from
overheating.y When driving uphill in hot weather, pay attention to
the water temperature gauge pointer (for all vehicles)
and AT OIL TEMP warning light (for AT vehicles) since
the engine and transmission are relatively prone to
overheating under these conditions. If the water tem-
perature gauge pointer approaches the OVERHEAT
zone or the AT OIL TEMP warning light illuminates,
immediately switch off the air conditioner and stop the
vehicle at the nearest safe place. Refer to the “Engine
overheating” section in chapter 9, and “Warning and
indicator lights” section in chapter 3. y If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, avoid
using the accelerator pedal to stay stationary on an
uphill slope instead of using the parking brake or foot
brake. That may cause the transmission fluid to over-
heat. Also, if your vehicle is equipped with an automat-
ic transmission, avoid driving with the gear selector le-
ver in “D” when towing a heavy trailer to prevent fluid
1 2
HS8023BB

8-40
Driving tips
overheating. A lower gear should be used. T
Parking on a grade
Always block the wheels under both vehicle and trailer
when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly. You
should not park on a hill or slope. But if parking on a
hill or slope cannot be avoided, you should take the
following steps:
1. Apply the brakes and hold the pedal down.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks under both the
vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release the
regular brakes slowly until the blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the regular brakes and then apply the park-
ing brake; slowly release the regular brakes.
5. Shift into 1st or reverse gear (manual transmission)
or “P” (automatic transmission) and shut off the en-
gine.

11 - 3 6
2Maintenance and service
2. Check the fluid level of the reservoir tank.
When the fluid is hot after the vehicle has been run:
Check that the oil level is between “HOT MIN” and
“HOT MAX” on the surface of the reservoir tank.
When the fluid is cool before the vehicle is run: Check
that the oil level is between “COLD MIN” and “COLD
MAX” on the surface of the reservoir tank.
3. If the fluid level is lower than the applicable “MIN”
line, add the recommended fluid as necessary to bring
the level between the “MIN” and “MAX” line.
If the fluid level is extreme low, it may indicate possible
leakage. Consult your SUBARU dealer for inspection. „
Recommended fluid
“Dexron III” Type Automatic Transmission Fluid
Brake fluid „Checking the fluid level
yNever let brake fluid contact your eyes be-
cause brake fluid can be harmful to your eyes.
If brake fluid gets in your eyes, immediately
flush them thoroughly with clean water. For
safety, when performing this work, wearing eye
protection is advisable. y Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air.
Any absorbed moisture can cause a dangerous
loss of braking performance. y If the vehicle requires frequent refilling, there
may be a leak. If you suspect a problem, have
the vehicle checked at your SUBARU dealer.
y Never use different brands of brake fluid to-
gether. y When adding brake fluid, be careful not to al-
low any dirt into the reservoir.y Never splash the brake fluid over painted sur-

11 - 3 8
2Maintenance and service
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) „
Checking the fluid level
Never let clutch fluid contact your eyes be-
cause clutch fluid can be harmful to your eyes.
If clutch fluid gets in your eyes, immediately
flush them thoroughly with clean water. For
safety, when performing this work, wearing eye
protection is advisable.
yClutch fluid absorbs moisture from the air.
Any absorbed moisture can cause improper
clutch operation.y If the vehicle requires frequent refilling, there
may be a leak. If you suspect a problem, have
the vehicle checked at your SUBARU dealer.y Never use different brands of clutch fluid to-
gether. y When clutch fluid is added, be careful not to
allow any dirt into the tank. 1) “MAX” level mark
2) “MIN” level mark
Check the fluid level on the outside of the reservoir. If
the level is below “MIN” level mark, add the recom-
mended clutch fluid to “MAX” level mark.
Use only clutch fluid from a sealed container. „ Recommended clutch fluid
FMVSS No. 116, fresh DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid
1
2
UBB004HB

12-6
Specifications
Fuses and circuits „
Fuse panel located behind the coin tray
T 2.5 liter models
19
18
17
16
20 21
15
14
12
11
10 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
13
HBC001DB
Fuse panelFuse ratingCircuit
115Ay
Heater fan
215AyHeater fan
315AyPower door lock
y Keyless entry
420AyMirror heater
y Cigarette lighter
y Remote controlled rear
view mirrors
510AyTail light
y Parking light
615AySRS airbag
715AyFront fog light
830AyABS solenoid
915AyRadio
y Clock
1015AyTrailer
1115AyEngine ignition system
y SRS airbag

12-7
Specifications
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T3.0 liter models
1210AyIllumination brightness
control
1315AyFuel pump
1410AyRear window wiper and
washer
1530AyWindshield wiper and
washer
1620AyBrake light
1715AyAir conditioner
1815AyBackup light
y Cruise control
y ABS control
1920AyWiper deicer
2020AyAccessory power sock- et
y Seat heater
2115AyIgnition coil and ignitor
(CALIFORNIA spec vehicle only)
Fuse panelFuse ratingCircuit
Fuse panelFuse ratingCircuit
115AyHeater fan
19
18
17
16
21
20
15
14
12
11
10 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
13
UBC001CB

12-8
Specifications
215Ay
Heater fan
315AyPower door lock
y Keyless entry
420AyCigarette lighter
y Remote controlled rear
view mirrors
y Mirror heater
510AyTail light
y Parking light
615AySRS airbag
715AyFront fog light
830AyABS (VDC) solenoid
915AyRadio
y Clock
1015AyTrailer
1115AyEngine ignition system
y SRS airbag
1210AyIllumination brightness control
Fuse panelFuse ratingCircuit
1315AyFuel pump
1410AyRear window wiper and
washer
1530AyWindshield wiper and
washer
1620AyBrake light
1715AyAir conditioner
1815AyBackup light
y Cruise control
y ABS (VDC) control
1920AyWiper deicer
2020AyMcIntosh audio amp (if
equipped)
2120AyAccessory power sock- et
y Seat heater
Fuse panelFuse ratingCircuit

12-9
Specifications
– CONTINUED –
„Fuse panel located in the engine com- partment
T 2.5 liter models
A) FWD socket (without SPORTSHIFT mode)
B) Main fuse
A
B
1
2
3 45 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
UBC003BB
Fuse panelFuse ratingCircuit
120Ay
Radiator cooling fan (Main)
220AyRadiator cooling fan (Sub)
330AyABS motor
420AyRear window defogger
515AyHazard warning flasher
y Horn
615AyMeter
y SRS airbag system
warning light
710AyAutomatic transmis-
sion control unit
y ABS UNIT
810AyAlternator
915AyHeadlight (right side)
1015AyHeadlight (left side)
1120AyLighting switch

12-11
Specifications
– CONTINUED –
Fuse panelFuse ratingCircuit
130AyRadiator cooling fan (Main)
230AyRadiator cooling fan (Sub)
330A 50AyABS motor
y VDC motor
430AyMcIntosh audio amp (if
equipped)
520AyRear window defogger
615AyHazard warning flasher
y Horn
715AyMeter
y SRS airbag system warning light
810AyAutomatic transmis- sion control unit
y ABS UNIT
910AyAlternator
1015AyHeadlight (right side)
1115AyHeadlight (left side)
1220AyLighting switch
1315AyClock
y Interior light
Fuse panelFuse ratingCircuit